A fuzzy-probabilistic durability concept for strain-hardening cement-based composites (SHCC) exposed to chlorides: Part 2 – Application example

In Part 1 of this treatise, a fuzzy-probabilistic approach for assessing the durability of SHCC exposed to chlorides is introduced. This approach may be considered as a framework for durability concepts for novel types of cementitious materials and different forms of environmental action. In this second part an application of this concept to crack-free SHCC exposed to a North Sea marine environment is presented. Special emphasis has been given to the transparent and reproducible quantification of input variables based on limited experimental investigations, literature review, and expert assessment. Based on these input variables, the buildup of chlorides at the depth of the steel bar reinforcement and development of the probability of corrosion initiation of the steel reinforcement over time were computed. It was found that the non-stochastic uncertainty due to information deficit is still significant. This currently precludes the concept from being used as a practical design tool. However, with the help of sensitivity analyses it was possible to identify the most influential input variables. It could be shown that with a reduction of this uncertainty, long service lives for SHCC members may be correctly demonstrated. This identification furthermore allows a targeting of future research efforts to reduce uncertainty in the most economical way.